30th August, 2014
Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosun has stated categorically that he can ‘never fight’ Chief Olusegun Osoba, a former governor of the state, noting that, Osoba is his leader and that of their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It is widely rumoured that the duo have been fighting over the leadership of the party in the state, a dispute many political analysts say will affect the party in the 2015 general elections but Amosun has dismissed the rumour of a rancour between himself and Osoba.
“I want to say this again, I will never fight Baba Osoba, he remains my leader, our leader and we will continue to accord him all the respect he deserves. I cannot even thinking of fighting him, over what, he is my leader and he will remain so.
“I respect him and will continue to respect him. I can assure you all that everything will be resolved soon, I don’t want to be saying all this on the air but I know that all the crisis will soon become a thing of the past,” the governor assured.
Amosun then appealed to the good people of the state to assist in persuading Osoba, in order not to go into 2015 elections with a divided house. “I want to appeal to people of substance and all the good people of Ogun to assist in appealing to Baba Osoba to sheath his sword and resolve all that is happening.
“I want to appreciate our people, on a daily basis, I receive at least 2,000 calls and several messages from various people and groups asking me to settle with Baba.”
In May, Osoba said he was not going to reconcile with Amosun again. He insinuated that Amosun wanted to control the whole of the party by himself.
“They said they don’t trust me again; they said they don’t believe in me again, that I will soon forgive and say everything has been settled. They said I will tell them that some Obas have appealed to me.
“I was shocked and asked them what led to this. They said they have concluded and their decision is that everyone should go his or her way. Secondly, they said they are not ready for any harmonisation, not even 70/30, 80/20, 95/5. Is it true or not?” Osoba asked.
“As I stand before you today, I swear before God and Jesus Christ, my Lord, I promise you all that the issue of forgiveness is no more. If you stand firmly as a warrior, that is enough for me. If you are ready, there is no more room for reconciliation. If thousands of people prostrate, it is what you want that I will do.